Understanding Islam and Muslims

1
Understanding Islam and Muslims

• A Presentation for a
• Religious Diversity Series
• in the work place
• November 4, 1998 A.D.
• 14 Rajab 1419 A.H.

2
What is Islam?

• According to Websters History of words The root
  of Islam is salaam which means PEACE and Islam
  means SUBMISSION.
• In the religious context it means attaining PEACE
  through SUBMISSION to the divine natural order
  created by the ONE Almighty God.

3
What is Islam? Continued

• It is not a new religion, but the same truth that
  was revealed to all the Prophets. Adam, Noah,
  Abraham, Moses, Jesus Muhammad. (Peace be upon
  them)
• The Prophet believes in what has been revealed to
  him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers
  they all believe in God and His Angels and His
  Books and His Prophets. Say, We make no
  difference between any of His prophets. And they
  say We hear, and we obey (We seek) Thy
  forgiveness, our Lord, and to Thee is the end of
  all journeys. Quran 2285

4
What is Islam? Continued

• "Say we believe in God, and that which was
  revealed unto us, and that which was revealed
  unto Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob, and
  the tribes, and that which was bestowed upon
  Moses and Jesus and the prophets from their Lord
  We make no distinction between any of them, and
  unto Him we have surrendered. " The Holy Qur'an
  384

5
Who are Muslims?

• A Muslim is one who submits to the will of God.
• (The term Muhammadan is misleading and
  offensive)
• They comprise one fifth (1.2 Billion ) of the
  world population.

• There are about 6 to 8 million Muslims in the US.
• About 30 million Muslims in Europe.

6
What is the Quran ?

• The Quran is a record of the exact words revealed
  by God through the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet
  Muhammad, fourteen centuries ago.
• It was memorized by Muhammad (pbuh) and then
  dictated to his Companions, and written down by
  scribes, who cross-checked it during his
  lifetime.
• Not one word of its 114 chapters (Surah) has been
  changed over the centuries.

7
What is the Quran ? Continued

• The Quran, the last revealed Word of God, is the
  prime source of every Muslim's faith and practice
• It deals with all the subjects which concern us
  as human beings wisdom, doctrine, reasoning,
  worship, and law, but its basic theme is the
  relationship between God and His creatures
• At the same time it provides guidelines for a
  just society, proper human conduct and an
  equitable economic system.

8
Who is Muhammad (pbuh) ?

• Born in Makkah (Arabian Peninsula) in 570 AD
• Like all the prophets before Muhammad he was a
  human-being sent by God to remind people of
  their One True Creator and establish a system of
  peace and justice for all
• The practice and example of the Prophet, is the
  second source of guidance for Muslims

9
Who is Muhammad (pbuh) ? Continued

• A hadith is a reliably transmitted report of what
  the Prophet said, did, or approved. e.g. The
  Prophet said
• 'God has no mercy on one who has no mercy for
  others.'
• Whoever believes in God and the Day of Judgment
  should do good to his neighbor
• 'God does not judge according to your bodies and
  appearances but He scans your hearts and looks
  into your deeds.'

10
What are the Basic Islamic Beliefs?

• One, Unique, Incomparable God, Who has no son or
  partner
• Allah is the proper name of god. The God
• Belief in Gods Revealed Books Torah, Injil
  (Bible) Quran
• Belief in prophets of God Adam, Noah, Ishmael,
  Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Jesus and the Final Prophet
  and Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon them)
• Belief in the Day of Judgment When all of
  humanity will be held accountable for their
  deeds.
• Belief in the Angels of God.
• Belief in Qadar. Predestine and Due Measure.
• __________________________________________________
  __________________________________________________
  _____
• Innocence of Humankind at Birth.
• No Intermediary between God and Humans.

11
What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

• Testimony of Faith There is no deity but God
  (Allah) and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet)
  of God
• Prayer Daily at Dawn, Noon, Mid-Afternoon,
  Sunset and Night. Each prayer takes a few
  minutes.
• Poor Due (Zakat) An annual payment of 2.5 of a
  Muslims wealth which is distributed among the
  needy. Optional charity is encouraged.
• Fasting Total abstinence from food and liquid
  from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan.
• Hajj Annual pilgrimage to Makkah for those who
  are physically and financially able.

12
Abrahamic Connection?

• Genesis 175 No longer will you be called Abram,
  your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a
  father of many nations.
• Quran 2124 And (remember) when his Lord tried
  Abraham with (His) commands, and he fulfilled
  them, He said Lo! I have appointed thee a leader
  of many nations. (Abraham) said And of my
  offspring (will there be leaders) ? He said My
  covenant does not include the unjust.

13
Abrahamic Connection?

• It is here in Makkah that Prophet Abraham and his
  son Ishmael built a house of worship for God.

14
What do Muslims believe about Jesus?

• Quran confirms his virgin birth
• 345 - Behold! the angels said O Mary! God gives
  thee glad tidings of a Word from Him his name
  will be Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, held in
  honor in this world and the Hereafter and of (the
  company of) those nearest to God (46) He shall
  speak to the people in childhood and in maturity.
  And he shall be of the righteous.

15
What do Muslims believe about Jesus? Continued

• Quran 347 - She said My Lord! How can I have a
  child when no mortal has touched me ? He said So
  (it will be). Allah creates what He will. If He
  decrees a thing, He says unto it only Be! and it
  is.
• Quran 359 - The likeness of Jesus before God is
  as that of Adam He created him from dust, then
  said to him "Be". And he was.

16
What does the Quran say about Creation?

• The Quran encourages humankind to use the powers
  of intelligence and observation.
• Origin of Universe Do the unbelievers not
  realize that the heavens and the earth used to be
  one solid mass that we exploded into existence?
  And from water we made all living things. Would
  they believe? Quran 2130
• Expanding Universe "The heaven, We have built it
  with power. Verily. We are expanding it. Quran
  5147

17
What does the Quran say about Creation? Continued

• Embryology ... Subsequently, we reproduced him
  from a tiny drop, that is placed into a well
  protected repository. Then we developed the drop
  into a hanging (embryo), then developed the
  hanging (embryo) into a bite-size (fetus), then
  created the bite-size (fetus) into bones, then
  covered the bones with flesh. We thus produce a
  new creature. Most blessed is GOD, the best
  Creator. Then, later on, you die. Then, on the
  Day of Resurrection, you will be resurrected.
  Qur'an 2312-16

18
How does Islam adjust in the USA?

• Islam in America - News Segment (2 min, 32 sec)
  (Produced by CBS Evening News - January 25, 1998)
• http//islam.org/Video/cbs1.ram

19
What aspects of Islam effect the work place?

• Holidays Two main Holidays
• One to celebrate the end of the fasting month
  (Ramadan). Second to commemorate the example of
  Prophet Abraham (pbuh). The end of annual
  pilgrimage (Hajj)
• Dietary Restriction No Pig meat (pepperoni, ham,
  pork, bacon, etc.) No intoxicants
• Ablution Washing before prayers
• Prayers Noon, Mid Afternoon and Friday
• Fasting in Ramadan No food during lunch meetings

20
What does Islam say about Diversity?

• O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of
  a male and a female, and made you into nations
  and tribes, that you may know each other (not
  that you may despise (each other). Verily the
  most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he
  who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has
  full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all
  things). Quran 4913

21
References

• On-line
• www.Islam.org
• Books
• Islam and the Destiny of Man by Charles Le Gai
  Eaton
• ISLAM 2000 by Dr. Murad Hofmann
• Struggling to Surrender by Dr. Jeffrey Lang

22
I S L A M
Peace Submissionto the One Almighty God